https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weller-80-Watt-Hobby-and-Stained-Glass-Soldering-Station-WLC200/307996229 This is my go to for just about everything.

Handy, versatile. Works well for me on coils, lamps, switches, broken wires, bridge rectifiers, connector pins on board.

LTG : )

But how do you make use of a station like that when soldering on sockets, coils, etc. that are on the playfield itself?

I find that most of the time I don't get to sit nicely at a table while soldering, it's always sideways in a tight spot on the underside of the playfield - hoping I don't drip hot solder onto something (and needing a third and fourth hand to hold something in place).

95% that is where I work on them. Rest the station on the bottom of the cabinet, on the game next to me, or on top of my roll cab if it's nearby.

If you worry about dripping solder on something, lay a rag over it.

I don't even think about what or where. Just get it done.

LTG : )

I use a station like that (but not that one) and have a tray that sits on the side of the cabinet. It's been so long that I can't remember what the tray is. Works great. I lay towels if I'm worried about solder dripping. Plus I have a tray to toss all of my tools in.

Welcome to the wonderful world of pinball repair.

I've been soldering for so many years, that I don't even think about it.

Being ambidextrous or creative can help. One time soldering a wire back on a switch below MM's castle. I had the playfield up and leaned back. Had a mirror below the area, and used the reflection to solder the wire back on.

Easier than pulling the castle/gate assembly out, or the playfield out and flipping upside down.

LTG : )

I like the Milwaukee cordless soldering iron. Uses M12 batteries which I use in lots of other tools. Heats up fast. I've done PF swaps with it and love it. Get high output batteries, it uses a lot of juice.

s-l500 (resized).jpg

My 2c

https://smile.amazon.com/A9-Precision-Soldering-Temperature-212%E2%84%89-842%E2%84%89/dp/B09QG887ZD/ref=sr_1_5

Yup this is the same one I have used for many years now great one

I have a hakko station and a hakko portable pen style and use it 90% of the time.

I got this on sale with some group buy in past and it is incredible. Heats up so fast, tips change out really easily even if hot, and temp controlled. Now its a little pricey but these are awesome

https://www.amazon.com/Metcal-PS-900-Production-Soldering-Complete/dp/B001IDSD2K

I have never seen this. this thing looks amazing

On our crash cart we have a Weller Station for switch work and a Soldering Gun for coils. The station sits in a little plastic tub
where (usually) the solder and a few other sundries are found. I usually lift the mini tub into the bottom of the cabinet and get to work. That is of course if I can locate the solder, which invariably is in the last machine I worked on.

I started out with a basic Weller soldering iron that was just garbage. Got this Hakko and it's a whole new world. It works very well and everything I need for basic repairs. No idea what temp it should be set at for anything lol. Think it was a lot cheaper when I bought it, though.

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX601-02-Adjustable-Temperature-Controlled/dp/B00FZPSX3G